Portofino Villa; Enchanted Living in Liguria

Like a page whipped out of the great historical novels of Italy, this 4 bed, 5 bath villa captures everything enchanting about the lemon-soaked coast of southern Europe. Sitting on a spring bluff overlooking the blue bay of Portofino, you couldn’t ask for a better spot for sipping limoncello and watching the superyachts glide past on theirMed charter itineraries.

The majestic property with its sunshine hues and tasteful green and white trim has been beautifully restored to its former glory, with stories dating back to the early 1900’s. With 2000 sqm of space to play, the sweeping landscaped terraced whisper of glorious garden parties and summer weddings. Matured Mediterranean trees, frothy flowers, and terraces designed for capturing both the abundance of sunshine and the sweet sea breezes ensure you don’t lose a moment of artful al fresco living.

With five levels to play with, the interior of the pristine Portofino villa invites a dab hand with interior design to run wild. Rooms are bright and doused in streaming sunlight, with a sunny hall being the first spot to welcome you into your Italian abode.

The living room is every inch the elegant setting, boasting parquet floors, arched windows, warm creams and hints of soft Italian leather. From here the views out across the bay will leave you starry eyed.

Dining spaces both inside and out invite both formal stately dinners and casual family suppers. The inside dining room is generous in space and with two superbly dressed kitchens with all the mod cons, Italian cooking is sure to come as second nature.

Three of the bedrooms offer ensuite facilities with the same polished parquet floors and whimsical windows for soaking up the buttery sunlight from the comfort of your linen white bed. There is extra space for staff quarters complete with a laundry room.

A studio and gym room keep both the body and the mind in check, while the spa facilities invite perfect balance. An indoor pool means that morning swims aren’t confined to the weather forecast, and the whirlpool is a wonderful touch for those days when your legs are weary from hiking the Cinque Terre. The large sliding windows of the spa open right up onto the gardens, so afterwards you can sit and sip fresh shaken smoothies on the terrace.

The original staircase sweeps from top to bottom of the villa, but for those who don’t want to climb – there is also an elevator. The whole home has been beautifully fitted with all the mod cons – from innovative lighting systems from artist Ingo Maurer to intuitive air conditioning. The wine cellar is another fine feature – offering optimal temperature settings and perfect humidity for storing vintage specialties.

The Portofino Villa boasts another unique selling feature; not only can you gaze across the bay and admire the pretty Church of St George, but you are also within easy walking distance of the hillside town of Liguria. A private parking space ensures your Italian sports car is always within reach for those impromptu day trips around the bay.

Those seeking privacy but wanting instant access to play, and those seeking old world glamour with modern comfort – Portofino Villa sits somewhere proudly on that line.

Price is available upon request and more information can be found from Christies.

Jodie Oakes is a seasoned writer with continuously itchy feet and a love of the finer things in life. With a passion for penning perfect content, she explores the globe, forever seeking out the next story.